The Ohio State football team will return to the gridiron in 2022 on a warpath to avenge its shortcomings from a year ago with sights set on So-Fi.

Five Ohio State graduates made the trip to Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. But come next January, the entire Ohio State football team has their sights set on a championship stage at So-Fi Stadium. 

We now enter into the longest six and a half months of the year without football as we reflect on the incredible 2021 season and look forward to what’s ahead. The Buckeyes return most of its production from one year ago, which is a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten. 

Ohio State dominated its conference foes, except for The Game in Ann Arbor, and added transfer Tanner McAlister and revamped the defensive staff to become an elite team in all three phases. The Buckeyes have always had a high-octane, championship offense, but you need competency on both sides of the ball to hoist the CFP Trophy. 

The glaring weakness has been the defense in recent years and lack of physicality in each of the last two. Both are uncharacteristic for the Ohio State program. Ryan Day clearly understands the assignment, which is why he’s starting fresh with a new scheme and philosophy on defense which Jim Knowles will spearhead. 

Looking Ahead

CJ Stroud was on hand at Super Bowl LVI with former Buckeye QB Justin Fields taking in the stage he hopes to play eleven months from now. Stroud is a California native who led Ohio State to an incredible Rose Bowl victory over Utah last year. A return trip to Los Angeles would be fitting for Stroud, whose goal is to deliver the elusive championship escaping the Buckeyes since 2015. 

Wisconsin appears to be Ohio State’s biggest threat in the West, and either Michigan or Penn State will challenge in the East per usual. Although, the Wolverines are losing both coordinators and having a mass exodus of seniors, making them one of the youngest teams in the country. How many days until November 26th in Columbus? 

Ryan Day will have his Buckeyes licking their chops right out of the gates against a talented Notre Dame team, but the laser focus won’t end there. Ohio State owes its rival for the no-show in 2020 and beating last year, so expect a highly-motivated team week in and week out. The Buckeyes will be ready to deliver momentous blows to the Wolverines and everyone else in their path. 

As for So-Fi and the National Championship, Ohio State and Alabama appear to be the two head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Regardless of whether it’s Clemson, Georgia, USC, or Notre Dame that joins the Buckeyes and Tide in the CFP, none will have enough talent to overcome the onslaught of Day’s or Saban’s team. 

Image Credit: The Ohio State University Department of Athletics